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04/07/2003 10:29:42 PM · #1 |
Okay, so I'm an idiot. I "won a contract" to do a small high school's prom pictures at the end of April. I offered them my services without thinking they would go with me, but . . . . .
So, here's my dilemma. I have no lights. A great camera, but no lights. Fortunately, my ever-patient husband has agreed that we may purchase some, simiply because I am tired of taking "portraits' with lousy lighting, and now I need them.
Any suggestions about what I should get? Brands? Setups? I obviously want to spend as little as possible, because i am cheap!
help me, please.
karmat |
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04/07/2003 10:37:18 PM · #2 |
go to the local hardware store and get a couple of those 500w lights that are on a stand. THey can be had for as little as $29 each with out a stand and up to $80 (i think) with 2 light housings on one stand.
I did see some real cheep ones for about $12 once....but not sure how they would work out.
They are a "white" light and some have used these with great sucess....
here is an example at home depot
1000 watts of light
James
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04/07/2003 10:41:29 PM · #3 |
scratch that....
go to www.homedepot.com
then find the ELECTRICAL section
then find the WORKLIGHT section
the one I was talking about is the 1000 Watt Twin Head Promotional Telescoping Worklight for $36,
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04/07/2003 10:49:35 PM · #4 |
LOL, a 1000watt spot light at the prom! I don't know if that will work to well. I have one and they aren't exactly portable and they are extremly bright... you'd blind half of the people there.
I'm no lighting expert but I'd think you would need a decent Flash unit for your Sony at the very least. The popup one on your camera probably isn't good enough. And maybe an even stronger external flash and then play with it using one of those unbrellas (light difusers?) under the same lighting conditions as the prom until you get a feel for when to use it and when not to.
Do a little research by searching for "Studio lighting", etc. on the Web and maybe you can get some tips. I'd be nervous too. :) But they probably don't expect professional results, right? :D Good luck.
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04/07/2003 11:10:02 PM · #5 |
Hey karmat, I purchased a 500 watt umbrella light here
//www.bhphotovideo.com/bh1.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___250349___SMKT400___REG___CatID=2247___SID=F4A1649E9F0
For $84.95. I got it four days after i ordered it and it came packaged very well. The umbrella part is a little cheap but works well. The stand and light itself are pretty good. For the money i am very pleased with this product. but with the white umbrella its almost too soft a light. You may want to consider the two light kit or adding a silver or gold reflective umbrella. Kevin
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04/07/2003 11:13:09 PM · #6 |
I have been using the Smith-Victor KT1000 set up. It was only $129. or so for 2 500 watt lights with reflectors, and adjustable stands, and comes in a handy dandy carry case (cardboard box! LOL).. but it has served it's purpose. For a bit more you can add an umbrella diffuser.. The clamp will attach right to the stand. Put them at 45 degrees to the subject and from slightly above them. Decide ahead if you want to fill flash depending on the venue and how lights absorb there.
Take a deep breath.. have fun! You will do well!
The home depot ones might be fine, and less expensive, but I wonder how "professional" you may look with them. (shrug).
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04/07/2003 11:46:51 PM · #7 |
Though I'm sure they'll want some "normal" shots for which to pose, it might be fun to also try some new, cool stuff with the natural lighting at the dance: candids as well as other posed photos.
Message edited by author 2003-04-07 23:47:56.
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04/07/2003 11:49:35 PM · #8 |
Actually, since they are paying me, I would suspect they probably do expect professional results. Even if they didn't, I would like to try to deliver as such. :-) (I can dream, right??)
Thanks for the help. I at least have somewhere to start now!
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04/08/2003 12:00:44 AM · #9 |
Karmat,
It all depends on what you can spend.
You need at least one decent light and stand. For that I recommend the Photoflex Starlight started kit:
//www.photoflex.com/photoflex/index.html
It costs around $300 dollars, but is well worth it. As a single source it provides a nice soft shadow, important for portraits. You can also buy a cheaper started kit with two lights with stands that use 250-500 watt bulbs for around $130. These would be good for "filler" lighting if you bounce it off white cards or a nearby wall, also important for portraits.
Good luck and have fun!
You can get
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04/08/2003 12:05:06 AM · #10 |
Hmmmmmmmm... some posts are more coherent than others. To a little music sing,"You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant..."
Also, I meant to say "starter" kits. You have to put up with how we South Western cowboy folk talk.
:)
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04/08/2003 12:35:04 AM · #11 |
At our prom there were two photo setups. The normal one that was taking the posed couple shots and the photographer that mingled with the crowd - taking group shots and pictures of people doing more than just holding hands and smiling. I think the shots with my friends were a lot more fun and memorable (especially after you break up with the prom date).
Are you supposed to do both? I guess it depends on how much time you have and how many setup shots you will have to take.
Are they doing the backdrop or are you? Ours was black and my dress disappeared in it - maybe different lighting could've helped. Will the photos be taken in the same room with the dancing (which would mean it'll be really dark and need more light) or will you have a separate area?
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04/08/2003 01:18:03 AM · #12 |
Buy lights with a diffuser box. Then have someone hold a reflectors (two fo them) to the models (subject). You don't necessarily need flash, but tripod is required and at least TWO light sources with diffuse box (you can use umbrella but a good diffuser box is better. The point being, you don't want to have harsh lighting on them directly because you'd wash out their faces AND with all the glittering crap the women will be wearing :-)
Either that, use a single diffuser box, a good FLASh with GEL! (no direct flash or you'll get lots of reflections, use a GEL in front of the flash to create a nice diffuse effect).
Try it out at home first, measure the distance to the subjects and use it accordingly. And use a decent background.
Originally posted by karmat:
Okay, so I'm an idiot. I "won a contract" to do a small high school's prom pictures at the end of April. I offered them my services without thinking they would go with me, but . . . . .
So, here's my dilemma. I have no lights. A great camera, but no lights. Fortunately, my ever-patient husband has agreed that we may purchase some, simiply because I am tired of taking "portraits' with lousy lighting, and now I need them.
Any suggestions about what I should get? Brands? Setups? I obviously want to spend as little as possible, because i am cheap!
help me, please.
karmat |
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04/08/2003 03:49:26 AM · #13 |
Hi Karmat,
Congrats on the job, it should be fun! You may want to PM tcherring; she is a portrait photog and may be able to give you some tips/ideas to help you out.
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04/08/2003 10:43:50 AM · #14 |
Thanks again for all of the help.
To answer your questions indi, the photography area is separate from the "social" area, so I can adjust my lighting accordingly. Also, I will be doing the traditional "couple" thing setup, but should have enough time to mingle with the group. This is a small school (only 70 - 90 students), and they usually have 20 - 25 couples, plus most of the staff, come to the prom. I will NOT use a black backdrop. Though it looks nice, if the guys have on a black tux, all you can see is their face.
Their prom theme is "Moon and Stars Above" or something celestial like that, and it is sort of a silvery purple color, so I am "thinking' about what I can use for backdrops. Obviously, I want something that I can use again. Maybe just a gently grey color or something.
Thanks again for all of ya'lls help, I really appreciate it. |
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04/08/2003 11:26:24 AM · #15 |
| Karmat, that's exciting news! I also have the starlight starter set but better yet, if you look at their site, you can get some excellent instruction on how to take portraits and with what equipment. What are you using for memory? You'll want to take the maximum size and quality photos. |
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04/08/2003 11:34:37 AM · #16 |
One last suggestion is to make sure you have an extra camera battery pack with you. Nothing worst then than running out of juice. :(
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04/08/2003 11:40:24 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by karmat:
Thanks again for all of the help.
I will NOT use a black backdrop. Though it looks nice, if the guys have on a black tux, all you can see is their face.
Their prom theme is "Moon and Stars Above" or something celestial like that, and it is sort of a silvery purple color, so I am "thinking' about what I can use for backdrops. Obviously, I want something that I can use again. Maybe just a gently grey color or something.
Thanks again for all of ya'lls help, I really appreciate it. |
You should be able to buy about 2 yards of velvet or velveteen at a reasonable price -- usually comes 48-60" wide. Check at the fabric store's remnants table first. I've seen it before in silvery-gray, light purples, blues, etc.
The nap of the fabric helps diffuse the light reflecting off the backdrop to help make it "disappear." |
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04/08/2003 01:06:46 PM · #18 |
Before you put any money into a backdrop for the prom you may want to check with the prom committee. There might be a centerpiece that can serve as a wonderful background. I can't believe I remember this but my senior prom featured a gazeboo in the middle of the dance floor and the photographer used it as his background.
Also with the theme you mentioned I have to agree also about using velvet or veleteen, but you may even want to think about going to Wal Mart and checking out the fabrics there, you may find a starry print there for $1 a yard that was left over from Christmas, or be able to pick up several yards of unbleached muslin to drape down spread out on the floor to create a very elegant effect which you can even change the color of by the use of a colored light or gels. |
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04/08/2003 05:40:16 PM · #19 |
I would avoid a centerpiece -- it could be too busy and you could have flowers coming out of peoples' ears. Two tall stands of flowers flanking the couple would make a nice frame, however. A low centerpiece in front of the couple might be OK, but I'd have a plain/subtle backdrop behind their heads.
Handy junk to have with you: clothespins or hangers with clips, duct tape, safety pins, some heavy string or clothesline, some lightweight string or thread (black thread can usually be hidden), power strip, extension cord, grounded/non-grounded plug adapter, pliers, screwdriver, electrical tape.
If you have or can borrow a laptop, I'd download and review the photos before everyone goes home in case there's a problem photo. |
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